Maine PTAC Offers Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Training

The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued new regulations requiring that goods being sent to military distribution centers and depots be marked with the same type of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags now used by most major retailers to manage their supply chains and distribution networks.

RFID provides a systematic method of identifying and locating material en transit, identifying shortages, and reducing redundant inventories.  Leveraging RFID technology with Wide Area Work Flow improves the DoD's ability to get the right material, at the right time, and in the right condition to those in the field.

The new requirement addresses two general types of RFID tags: (1) active, which contains an internal power source, enabling the tag to hold more data and has a longer "read" range; and (2) passive, which does not contain any power source, holds less data, and has a shorter "read" range.

DoD suppliers are required to affix passive RFID tags on the lowest possible piece part/case/pallet packaging for shipments destined to military depots and distribution centers.

Maine PTAC offers no-cost RFID training, technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling to manufacturers and other suppliers to DoD. 

Maine PTAC has conducted RFID training workshops in Bangor, Lewiston, Sanford, and Portland that have included topics on DoD Policy and Implementation Strategy, Tag Data, Wide Area Workflow interfaces, Unique Identification (UID), and various compliance options for these initiatives.

Please contact Ed Dahl at Maine PTAC if you need additional information for upcoming workshops or individual assistance.  His e-mail address is edahl@emdc.org and his phone number is (207) 942-6389.

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